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tendresse
/tɑ̃.dʁɛs/
tenderness
Elle lui a montré sa tendresse en le serrant dans ses bras.
She showed him her tenderness by hugging him.
formalinformal
A feeling of gentle affection, love, or compassion, often expressed through softness or care.
La tendresse d'une mère envers son enfant est inestimable.
A mother's tenderness toward her child is invaluable.
Il y avait une tendresse dans sa voix quand il parlait de son grand-père.
There was tenderness in his voice when he spoke of his grandfather.
Often used to describe a deep, affectionate bond, especially in familial or romantic relationships.
Collocations
marquer sa tendresseto show tendernessune tendresse infinieinfinite tendernessla tendresse d'un regardthe tenderness of a gaze
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Emotional Nuance
'Tendresse' is often used in contexts where deep, quiet affection is expressed, such as between parents and children or romantic partners.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
In French, 'tendresse' is more commonly used in emotional or familial contexts than in casual settings.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'tendresse,' meaning 'softness' or 'gentleness,' from the verb 'tendre' (to stretch or soften).
Usage Notes
While 'tendresse' can be translated as 'tenderness,' it often carries a slightly more profound emotional weight in French, emphasizing warmth and care.
Word Breakdown
tendre
soft or gentle
root-esse
noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality
suffixDictionnaire Français-Anglais